Kuqi gets to the point

BROODING Shefki Kuqi can’t let thoughts of lost points go — even though he is in the goal-scoring form of his life.

The striker, who turned 35 yesterday, has lived up to his billing as a star signing by racking up 10 goals for Athletic already.

And if he carries on finding the back of the net at the current rate, the ‘Flying Finn’ will get over the 30 mark for the season.

In dismissing his midweek double against Crewe, though, Kuqi emphasised that getting the team to where he believes they should be — pushing near the top of the npower League One table — is always a priority above personal glory.

“I don’t think I am playing as well as I want to be,” said the experienced former Stockport and Ipswich man, who had a face like the proverbial thunder at the end of the recent 3-3 draw at Carlisle. “If I score only rebounds, does that mean I am playing well?

“Now I have played a few games and seen the opposition, I think I should have scored a few more. But that’s football.

“I would rather have five more league points and five fewer goals.

“When I joined, I didn’t know this league. But now I know the players better and think we have a good chance.

“I don't know what the rest of the team thinks. But in my opinion we should be at least four or five places higher in the table and that is why I get upset.

“I am not happy in that we have given away silly points. It could cost us a lot at the end of the season.”

Kuqi leads the line against Burton Albion in tomorrow’s FA Cup first- round tie at Boundary Park, the second meeting between the two sides at this stage of the competition in the last decade.

He is hopeful that in the event of fortunes turning against Athletic at some stage during the game, the team can stay resolute — and the imposing forward has yet to see anything he is afraid of during his spell at the club.

“We need to be mentally stronger sometimes,” Kuqi added.

“Like at Carlisle, or against Bury last Saturday. Paul Gerrard saved a penalty and I thought ‘here we go’.

“But no, we go and lose the game. In my opinion, being one man down shouldn’t make a big difference in this division.

“I know we have young lads in the team, but we also have experience.

“Last season there were big sides in the division like Southampton and the year before Leeds. But that isn’t the case this year.

“When the chance comes in football, you have to take them.

“Sometimes, you have to admit that the opposition are superior on the day.

“Since I’ve been here, though, I can’t remember one game where I have thought that.”